Grandpa's Quilt...

I started this back in May with the hope of finishing it within the month.  Fast forward four months and I've finally completed and mailed off this quilt to my Grandpa...

Grandpa's Quilt

I'm calling it appropriately enough 'Grandpa'.  The pattern is called Bali Boxes, but is now out of print.  It's one of my go to patterns, because it's simple, requires one jelly roll and even after making several of them, I still like the look of it!  The finished quilt is 69" x 76".

I added my Grandpa's name to the top of the quilt.  He's 89 and lives in a nursing home, so I'm hoping that it will help the quilt remain with him.

My Grandpa's Name

I also added some information on the back in case the quilt gets lost or misplaced, so they'll know who it belongs to.  I've heard some horror stories from people who have relatives in nursing homes.

Label and 'lost and found' information

I quilted it using the Square Spirals pantograph by Keryn Emerson, which is a quick and fun one I've used before.

Square Spirals Pantograph

This really is a pretty quick quilt to make.  I struggled trying to find the right font to use for his name and had to wait several weeks for my back to heal before I could actually quilt it, otherwise it would have been done much sooner than it was.  However, the timing is probably perfect now that the weather has started to change!

So, the stats for this quilt are:

• Size: 69" x 76"
• Fabrics: Berry Bliss Bali Pop, batiks for the borders and backing
• Batting: Quilter's Dream Green Batting
• Thread: Aurifil (Piecing & Quilting - Top), Superior Threads (Quilting - Bobbin)
• Pattern: Bali Boxes (out of print) - I made small changes to the pattern
• Quilting - Square Spirals Pantograph - 33 passes & 6 bobbins
• Started: May 2012
• Completed: September 24, 2012
• Recipient: Grandpa Ricci

Until later...

For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.

Jeremiah 31:25 (NLT)

G is for Gifts...

So my dear husband is taking some vacation this week.  He's working on a landscaping project, which (yeah for me) has given me some extra time in my sewing room.  I've actually managed to finish a few projects -  including another Snowman A to ZZZZ block.  (I haven't worked on these since May!)

G is for Gifts

The pattern is by Crabapple Hill Studios.  My mom and I both started these blocks in January.  She's doing hers in blue and I'm doing my version in black.  However, she's much, much further along.  I think she's on the letter Q right now.

A closeup

Working on these blocks is a nice change from hand appliqueing all those bats.  They're also a lot quicker to stitch!

Recently I've been giving the cats catnip on a regular basis.  When David is 'high' on the stuff, I'll find him playing with this toy.  He likes to toss it up in the air and catch it.  He also likes to carry it around in his mouth.  However, whenever he sees me watching him, he drops it and pretends he wasn't doing anything.  I'd love to get some pictures of him in action!

David with his toy

Until later...

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. 

Psalm 17:6 (NLT)

Child's Play Wrap-up...

It feels like such a long time since I've finished a quilt.  Looking back at my blog, it's been exactly 3 months.  That's a really, really long time.  And actually, I think I've had this quilt on the frame for about that long!

Child's Play Quilt

I've named this quilt Child's Play and it's adapted from the Schnibbles pattern Bibelot by Carrie Nelson.  I wrote all about making the quilt here.

Closeup of the center of the quilt

I used an all over pantograph for the quilting but for the life of me, I can't figure out where I got it from.  There's no identifying text on the paper and I just can't remember.  The panto looks like interlocking people or angels.  Hopefully you can see them a little better in this picture of the border.

Closeup of the quilting

I made a simple label for the back with some of the leftover fabric.  I've gotten into the habit of affixing the label before I quilt it so that it won't come off.  I know from experience that if I leave this part to the end, I'm tempted to skip this step altogether and it's really too important to do that!

So the stats for this quilt are...

• Size: 48"  x 48"
• Fabrics: 2 Charm Packs of ZaZa by Erin Michaels, White Kona cotton, Purple Moda Marble flannel
• Batting: Warm and White
• Thread: Aurifil 50 wt #2314 (for piecing and quilting - bobbin), Superior Threads Rainbows 40 wt #860 Lone Peak (quilting - top)
• Pattern: Bibelot by Carrie Nelson (with some changes)
• Quilting: Pantograph (but don't know the pattern name - rows of people or angels) (13 Passes and 3 Bobbins)
• Started: June 2012
• Completed: September 16, 2012
• Recipient: My sister

Child's Play Quilt

I had intended to donate this quilt, but my sister fell in love with it, so I'm giving it to her instead.  I'll have to make a replacement one to donate in the near future.

While I was trying to square this quilt up, David was desperately trying to get my attention.  He didn't want me quilting and he didn't want me taking pictures either...

Hey mom!  Can I get some attention?

Yoohoo!  Are you listening to me?

I'm serious!  Put the camera down and pet me please!

Ahhh!  That's more like it....

Until later...

And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. 

Ephesians 4:32 (HCSB)

Puttering...

I've been meaning to sit down and write this post for the last week, but this is the first chance I've had to do it.  How does time get away from me so quickly?  It's already the middle of September, and I'm so not ready for summer to end!!!  Is anyone else desperately trying to hold on to it like I am?

I spent some quality time in my sewing room last weekend.  I was determined to finish a few things - in particular, a quilt I've had on the frame since around June.  I was able to finish the quilting and sew on the binding.  All that remains is to hand stitch it down.  I just got these new Clover Wonder Clips from Clotilde and this will be my first chance to try them out.

Child's Play Quilt ready for binding

I also finished loading the quilt for my Grandpa on the frame and took a couple of passes on it.  I had hoped to finish it this week, but haven't touched it since last weekend.  I've really got to spend some quality time with it tomorrow (after cleaning the house).  My Grandpa's 89 and although he's in good health, I need to get this finished soon!

Grandpa's Quilt loaded on the frame

Looking around, I also saw that I needed to piece the backing for another charity quilt (which I did).  Then I pulled out some Heat Press Batting Together Tape that I'll use to join some scraps together for the batting for that quilt.  In the past I've cut my own strips of stabilizer to do this, but to be honest, the tape is much easier to use.  Better yet, I got the tape for free at a quilting retreat! I also need to make a label for this quilt.

Preparing to join the batting and make a label

I puttered a little bit on my Leap Year quilt. This is the quilt that started out as a Schnibbles sized quilt and I've now decided to make king-sized.  I've cut into the new Layer Cake and organized the fabrics.  I'm starting to make the blocks for the outer border.  I'm not in a rush to get this one done as it's a patriotic quilt, so I really don't need it until next summer...

A little bit of progress on Leap Year

And finally, my quilt bee has decided to do another 'Quilt in a Box' starting in October.  This prompted me to pull out the last one we did in 2008/2009, as my blocks are still sitting in their box exactly as I left them 3 years ago!  This has given me a new incentive to get this put together before too much progress is made on the new one.  I designed the setting I wanted all those years ago and I have all the fabrics, I just never got around to finishing it.  I still love the colors, so hopefully this won't continue to languish...

'Quilt in a Box' blocks and fabrics from 2008/2009

All in all, it was a very productive weekend puttering in my sewing room.  I forgot how much I enjoy spending time in there.  Nowadays, I seem to grab an hour here or there, but rarely do I spend an entire day or afternoon hanging out surrounded by fabric, thread and sewing notions (and my 4-legged buddies).  It reminds me why I refer to it as my happy place!

Until later...

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. 

Proverbs 12:18 (NLT)